The Chesterton Tribune was able to confirm just before deadline today that the COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out locally.

Chesterton Deputy Fire Chief Nate Williams told the Tribune that the vaccine has been offered to paramedics and that a few firefighters have already registered to receive it. He added no mass vaccination program has been planned but that “at each agency it’s up to the individual.”

Meanwhile, the Tribune has learned, the Franciscan Health system is starting to administer the vaccine to providers and healthcare workers who are in direct care of COVID patients, and will then move on to all other providers, including physicians and nurses.